Thursday, January 31, 2008

Welcome to the first posting of AFS for 2008, and the month opens with the Papal Message for World Peace Day, the Papal messages coming in all shapes and sizes reminding us of the importance of the solemnity of Christmas, Madrid parade which is organised by RC in Spain, not everyone happy with Rome decision to admit Blair to the ranks...

...a lonely pastoral ministry, Muslim/RC dialogue planned, God question Google hit in 2007, Il Papa not happy with environmentalists, Blessed Damian on way to sainthood, no Allah to be printed in Malaysia, new clarification on Latin Mass due, Jesuits settle for CSA claims in Alaska...

...clash of Church & State in Spain, new Polish Primate (?), Il Papa gives go ahead for new exorcism courses, 3 million fans for Il Papa in 2007, new solar panels for Il Papa from German company (but where else of course), Cardinal says married men not solution to vocations crisis, Jesuits in Rome to elect 'Black Pope'...

...7 reasons to be a priest, new website to vocations, Spanish Government face down Spanish RC church criticism, Newman beatification 'imminent', 'informal apartheid' towards Irish travellers alleged, Irish now want morning-after pill, Il Papa not happy with 'degraded Rome' (maybe he could offer the Apostolic Palace as temporary measure to those living in slums?)...

...Christianophobia, Putin promise to Russian religions, some students still like Il Papa, Irish RC Church launches year of the Vocation, anti-Il Papa leaflets in Armagh, Milingo urges married priesthood, Westminster Cathedral to close (?), unholy nun row in Galway, Irish priest brands Irish bishops as 'narcissistic sociopaths' (lets see what happens him now!!)...

...new bishop of Achonry (Ireland), cardinal claims church does not reject divorced (he needs get reality check!!), East & West will NOT meet, Vatican plans assessment of Code of Canon Law, lay parish involvment the way forward...

...thus ending the last month of winter and one in which the 5,000th posting to Clerical Whispers was reached and breached and onwards as we have also been nominated for 4 different headings under the Irish Blog Awards...

...so now we prepare to enter into Lent which shall begin on Ash Wednesday on February 6th...

He responded to the Lord’s call to the holy priesthood and became the youngest head of the 10,000,000 or more Greek Orthodox Christians spread throughout the world in 1998.

He died at his home in Athens on Monday, January 28th, 2008.

He was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2007.

He had tentatively scheduled a liver transplant in America but canceled them when the cancer was found to have spread so rapidly.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis said of the Archbishop, "He was an enlightened church leader whose work brought the church closer to society, closer to modern problems and to young people."

His comments concerning the Archbishops dedication to the young were echoed in the huge swell of expressions of prayer and solidarity which were received on the occasion of his death.

The Archbishop was an ardent defender of the rights of the Church throughout his often adversarial relationship with the secular authorities.

He never backed down.

The Nation of Greece which he loved so deeply will mourn his loss with funeral plans befitting a head of State.

All businesses will be closed.

Throughout Athens, flags flew at half-mast and people wept openly as bells tolled to honor the servant of God. Mourners clothed in black flooded the Metropolitan Cathedral.

In interviews with Greek TV one mourner said "It is like I have lost my father," and another added "He kept our faith and tradition strong and alive…At a time of instability, the Church was our haven."

Greek Catholics as well as other Catholics throughout the world joined with their Orthodox brethren in mourning his loss. He will be remembered, among other things, for having moved from a hostile relationship with the Holy See to an increasingly warm one in the latter years of his life and apostolate.

Most observers point to the landmark visit to Greece by Pope John Paul in 2001, which led to a growing dialogue between the communions, as a turning point in the Archbishops relationship with the Catholic Church. The Catholic and Orthodox Churches divided in the 1054.

Prayer and work toward restoring full communion between the Churches was a heartfelt hope of the Pope John Paul II and has become a major goal of his successor Pope Benedict XVI. The press officer of the Catholic Church of Greece told Greek television that the steps taken by the Archbishop were "historic".

The Archbishop was known to have had a burden for the young. He reached out to them calling on them to return to the ancient Faith "as you are earrings and all." He had a sense of humor as well and was known to often salt his sermons with jokes.

The prayers of Christians throughout the world are joined with their Orthodox brethren in these days of mourning his loss and honoring his service.

In addition, from throughout the Christian community come prayers that his successor will be chosen quickly and will continue the important work which the Archbishop began.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Pope Benedict XVI has reorganized the Eastern-rite Catholic Church in Slovakia, raising the status of two church jurisdictions and creating a third to minister to the estimated 220,000 Eastern Catholics in the country.

Under the reorganization, announced Jan. 30 by the Vatican, the Diocese of Presov is now an archdiocese; the apostolic vicariate of Kosice is now a diocese; and a new diocese has been established in Bratislava.

The moves signal Vatican recognition of the growth and the stability of the church, which the communist government of then-Czechoslovakia tried to destroy in 1950.

Most of the church buildings, which had been confiscated by the government, were returned to the Eastern Catholics by the mid-1990s.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Karel Weirich, a Czech journalist whose mother’s last name was coincidentally Schindler—like the famous character of the Steven Spielberg movie—complied a series of lists with hundreds of names of Czechoslovakian Jews captured by the Nazis in Italy who he helped with money, clothing, medicines and eventually escape from their captors.

In an article entitled, “The Schindler of Pius XII,” written by Gaetano Vallini, the L’Osservatore Romano reported that “Weirich, a hidden and unknown hero, can be included among the saviors of the world in one of the darkest periods of history.”

“It’s not for nothing,” Vallini writes, “that the book by Alberto Tronchin about this person is entitled ‘A Re-Found ‘Joy’’, which tells how he saved hundreds of Czechs,” and was published “thanks to his niece Helena, who had access to his precious documents, not only the names, but the letters, identity documents and testimonies of an intense and risky activity.”

His story

Weirich was born in Rome on July 2, 1906, and while he was young his family moved often. In 1925, after finishing his studies, he began to work as the secretary of the Pontifical Work of St. Paul the Apostle. “In 1932 he was transferred to a similar post at the National Office of the Pontifical Missionary Works. That same year he began to write articles about Czechoslovakia for the Vatican daily,” Vallini writes.

After the order by the Nazis to arrest all Jews in June of 1940, Weirich decided to found the Work of St. Wenceslas, together with other Catholics. The organization was devoted to helping Jews in the concentration camps or those who were in hiding, many of whom were taking refuge in monasteries and convents opened by order of Pope Pius XII.

Because of his clandestine activity he was arrested on April 1, 1944 by the Gestapo. He was condemned to death, but the Holy See intervened to get his sentence reduced to 18 months of forced labor at the concentration camp of Kolbermoor, where he remained until May 2, 1945.

Many Czechoslovakians who survived until the liberation of the concentration camps on September 14, 1943 attributed their survival to the work of Weirich, who saved the hundreds of letters he received thanking him for his efforts.

His niece, Helena, recalled that “every time her uncle was asked why he did not say anything about what he had done, he replied: ‘because that is the past.’ When they wanted to give him a medal, he said: ‘I accept it, but you should also bestow it on the cloistered brothers and sisters who hid people,’” Vallini wrote.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Disclaimer

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This week the former “pasty-faced and weak” schoolboy, who was sexually abused by a religious order who paid off his father, finally saw his tormentors sent to jail.

The sex abuse case is the latest to hit the Catholic Church in Ireland, whose moral authority has been destroyed.

A government-funded compensation process has been established, involving up to 15,000 claimants at a cost of more than a billion euros.

From the mid-1960s, St John's National School in Sligo, northwest Ireland, was a dangerous place for children. Police believe that at least 50 boys, and probably many more, were abused by religious and lay teachers.

The chairman of St John's board of management said that he thoroughly regretted the school's dark past. “What has occurred was terrible and the school acknowledges these terrible happenings,” Father Hever said. “We are making every effort since then, in terms of child protection, to ensure that such incidents would never happen again.”

Victim support groups demanded government action

“The question has to be asked, who was managing this school during this reign of abuse?” asked Deirdre Fitzpatrick, advocacy director of One in Four, a charity and support group for victims of sex abuse.

“As the law stands the boards of management have ultimate responsibility for child welfare, and if something goes wrong they are accountable. This loophole was highlighted two years ago and we have been calling on the Department of Education to step in and take responsibility since then.”

Martin Meaney, a former member of the Marist order, who was known as Brother Gregory during his time at St John's, was jailed this week for two years on five sample abuse charges. Meaney, who has already served nine years of an 18-year sentence for indecent assault and rape at another school, denied that there was a paedophile ring at St John's. When asked by police whether he was acting alone, he said: “I thought I was the only one.”

He admitted preying upon Mr Gordon. “He was a pasty-faced, weak little lad, pale and sickly and I felt sorry for him. I did feel for boys who were deprived. I did pick the weakest lad in Paul Gordon,” he said.

Mr Gordon told the trial that Meaney was one of three Marist brothers who abused him. His alcoholic and violent father would receive cash in envelopes in return for the abuse.

A fifth Marist brother and former teacher at St John's is facing a retrial this year after his conviction was quashed on appeal.

The abuse drove Mr Gordon to kill his father in 1983 and he was jailed for eight years for manslaughter. His claims of sex abuse at St John's were ignored. “I was basically told by a garda [police officer] that I had brought enough disgrace on my family and that my complaints would go nowhere,” he said. But he persisted and in 1999 a police investigation team was established and eventually uncovered the scale of sex abuse at St John's.

In 1999 and again in 2001, the retired teacher Michael Cunnane received suspended sentences for indecently assaulting eight boys at the school. In 2005 Peter White, 74, formerly Brother Agnellus, was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to eight sample charges of indecent assault on two boys.

In the same year Patrick Curran was found guilty of indecently assaulting nine boys.

He denied 237 counts of indecent assault between 1966 and 1984, but the judge sentenced him to 12 years in prison and described him as “a determined paedophile”. He was dismissed from St John's in 1999 after the allegations emerged.

Sentencing Meaney, the judge expressed shock that so many teachers could be “debauching their pupils” in the same school. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

With just over a month before Spain goes to the polls the Socialist government's same-sex marriage law is causing barely a ripple in the campaign.

When the law was passed two years ago the conservative opposition Popular Party joined the Catholic Church and condemned the move.

At the time the PP said it would use the law to defeat the government of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

Now there is scant mention of opposition, no doubt the result of polls that show same-sex marriage has broad acceptance.

A public opinion poll released this month by Instituto Opina shows that nearly 75 percent of those questioned said they are fine with the law and it should not be repealed.

Only 18 percent favor abolishing the law.

The gay marriage bill was the boldest and most divisive initiative of the liberal social agenda Zapatero has embarked on since taking office in April 2004.

The Roman Catholic Church, which held much sway over the government just a generation ago when Gen. Francisco Franco was in power, had adamantly opposed gay marriage.

In its first display of anti-government activism in 20 years, it endorsed a Madrid rally in which hundreds of thousands marched in opposition to the bill. Some 20 bishops took part.When the law was passed it earned Zapatero a stern rebuke from the Vatican.

Earlier this month when Zapatero called elections for March 9 he said that the same-sex marriage law was one of his greatest achievements.

But despite public support for the law his left-of-center government is facing stiff competition from the PP.

The most recent poll shows the two parties in a dead heat.

Spain's economy, for more than a decade one of the most vibrant in Europe, is cooling off and inflation is running at more than four per cent, so the economy has become a major campaign issue.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Father Rene Hebert was a priest at L’Annonciation parish in Sudbury and enjoyed working with the youth, so much so that he took the boys on camping trips.

But these trips weren’t about singing around the campfire and honing the boys’ outdoors skills. Hebert fed the boys alcohol and took advantage of their innocence.

R. D. Sabourin was a victim of the priest’s deviance. Fifteen at the time of the sexual abuse, Sabourin walked roughly a dozen miles out of the bush one night to get away from a man he trusted, to inform his parents.

A meeting was held with the Bishop, assurances were given and prayers were encouraged, but nothing ended up happening to Father Hebert.

“My parents were told to go to church, pray, and forget it ever happened,” Sabourin said, his eyes brimming with tears as he recounted the incident.

Now, 36 years later, after struggling to move forward while putting his past behind him, Sabourin is married with three children of his own. It’s his children who have brought the abuse victim to speak out about his abuse.

“I’m worried about my children,” he said. “I want to make sure our children, my nieces and nephews, are safe.”

Sabourin was one of seven people gathered at a press conference Monday at the Radisson Hotel in Sudbury to announce seven civil lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, the Roman Catholic Diocese of London and the Congregation of the Resurrection in Ontario. The lawsuits named six priests – Hebert, Magnus J. Fedy, Victor Killoran, Gerald Roy, Lawrence Paquette and John Fisher – on allegations of sexual misconduct. Roy is the only priest still alive.

Half of the men have been criminally charged or convicted in the past, according to Thomas Talach, litigation lawyer from the Ledroit Beckett law firm in London, Ont.

“We are here today to expose the crimes of... six priests...who have violated the very essence of what they represented,” Talach said in his opening statement. “It is their own victims who, following decades of struggling with the impact of that evil, have found the strength to come here today to set the record straight.”

Talach said the reasons for the press conference were to empower the victims, to reach out to other victims, and to create positive change for the future.

The lawyer explained why the allegations had just been brought to light, so long after the incidents took place.

“Many times the victim, taught from an early age that a priest and the church can do no wrong, blames themselves for the abuse. They cannot tell their parents for they feel it is more likely the charming and loved priest will be believed over a child. If believed... the news of abuse... can shake and even shatter an entire family’s religious faith... which leads a victim to vow they will take their secret to the grave. It takes decades for that secret to finally surface.”

The claim for each case is approximately $4.5 million. However, Talach said that is not reflective of what the individual will receive. “No amount of money can compensate someone for the loss of their innocence, their youth and their religious belief,” the lawyer said.

Though the accused priests were all Roman Catholic, Talach said it should not be mistaken as an attack on the religion.

“In these cases, we’ve had brave and honourable priests come forward to assist,” he said. “But we want this diocese (the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie) to deal with it. It is not acceptable to transfer the priest, it is not acceptable to bury their pasts and it is not acceptable to leave them in the field.”

Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe, a bishop for 21 years at of the Diocese, admitted the allegations caused him a great deal of concern.

“I want people to trust their priests,” he said. “These are things (I’d) rather not have to deal with, however, they’re there and (I) have to look at it very carefully, especially with the priests being dead, (I) have to make sure all light is shed on this so (I’m) able to assess it.”

The Bishop said once more information is available about the claims, the Diocese will be able to chart the proper course of action.

To avoid further situations like this from happening, the Bishop explained the Diocese has invested a great deal into training and sabbaticals for their priests.

“Sabbaticals allow the priests to grow as humans and to become better integrated pastors. We’ve had workshops to help them understand... the proper professional behaviours and also the limitations in carrying out their ministry.”

As for Sabourin, the events of his childhood have continued to shape his adult life. Though he admitted he doesn’t often attend church anymore, he still has his faith in God.

He raised his three children as Catholic and though they all have their first communion, none have confirmation.“My children were raised Catholic to a time one of them was told he had to do community service at his church for his confirmation and that was it, I stopped it there,” he said.

When the abuse took place, Sabourin faced an added hurdle to overcome – his father was related to Father Hebert.“I was more embarrassed to tell my parents,” he said. “I told my dad a long time ago something happened but I told my dad what really happened (about) two weeks ago.”+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Norway's government has praised the country's small Roman Catholic Church for its role in supporting more than 100 000 labour migrants from Poland and other eastern European countries.

"We have become increasingly aware of the crucial role the Catholic Church is playing in responding to this challenge," Bjarne Haakon Hansen, the government minister for labour and social inclusion told Oslo's Catholic Bishop Bernt Eidsvig earlier in January, the Vaart Land newspaper reported.

Hansen was visiting the headquarters of the Catholic Church at St Olav's Cathedral in Oslo, a few hundred metres from his ministry. The minister in the centre-left coalition government said he wanted to learn more about how the Catholic Church is coping in regard to its ministry to migrants. He also stated his willingness to financially support this part of the church's work. The church has said it will need around 30 million Norwegian krone (US$5.5 million) to continue these activities over the next two years.

"We are doing our best, but our capacity is over-strained," Catholic Bishop Eidsvig told Hansen. The bishop said the actual number of Catholics in Norway is now around 200 000, as opposed to the only 56 000 who are registered, an increase due in part to the new arrivals from other countries.

Of Norway's 4.7 million inhabitants, 83 percent are Lutherans, who nearly all belong the Church of Norway.

The bishop said most Polish and other immigrants are seeking help from the Catholic Church to find their way into Norwegian society, rather than from trade unions and other secular organisations, although the church is encouraging them to use such groups.

Hansen said, however, he could not promise Eidsvig assistance in solving his most pressing need: more churches for Masses in Polish and other languages. In Oslo alone, four Masses are celebrated in Polish each Sunday.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

Some Christian groups in Scotland are anxious about druids, wiccans and other traditional religionists from across the UK gathering in a small north-east community this summer.

The Pagan Federation is intending to hold its first summer camp in Inchberry near Fochabers. The three-day event, scheduled for July 2008, will be a celebration of the ancient religion, which is based on the honouring of the natural order as an expression of the divine.

However a Moray church claims that the meeting may "encourage dangerous dabbling in witchcraft" - an idea which has been described as unfounded and superstitious by those planning to be involved, who point out that their commitment to human and natural well-being is in stark contrast to the popular image of "dark witches and ghouls".

The Rev Graham Swanson of Elgin Baptist Church, told the newspaper: "I have grave concerns and reservations about this event taking place. As a Christian I believe the Bible warns us about dabbling in such things as witchcraft."

But Moray resident Joanne Campbell, who is behind the event, said: "People like to sensationalise our gathering and speculate that we are up to all sorts of strange things. But the reality is that we really just want to get together and socialise with friends and like-minded people. There is nothing remotely sinister about it. In fact it is quite the opposite."

The pagan summer camp will take place between Friday 18 July and Sunday 20 July near the community hall. The event is open to "all witches, druids, shaman and other pagans of good". It will feature an opening ritual" as well as a host of workshops and talks.

Last year the Pagan Federation held its Scottish conference at Edinburgh University, to the annoyance of the evangelical Christian Union there.

Earlier this month, the Pagan Federation described as "a huge stride in interfaith relations" the election of priestess Angie Buchanan to a three-year term as Secretary to the Council of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, one of the world’s oldest and most prominent interfaith organizations.

She is the first Pagan to serve as an officer on the Executive Committee. In October 2007, Andras Corban-Arthen of the EarthSpirit Community in Massachusetts, USA, was elected as a member-at-large to the PWR executive committee.

Along with humanists, pagans in Britain are denied official membership of many inter-faith bodies. The dispute is over the meaning and antecedence of 'belief', and the question as to the representativeness of bodies such as the PF.

Pagans argue that they are a growing tradition with ancient roots who should be recognised in bodies like the Inter Faith Network UK.

While some Christians remain anxious about wiccan, pagan and druid philosophies, others argue that the history of organised Christianity in demonising and suppressing ancient religions is something to repent of.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

A Polish prosecutor will start an investigation into the controversial statements made last year by Father Tadeusz Rydzyk, the founder of Radio Maryja, a Catholic radio station known for its anti-Semitic broadcasts, press reports said.

The decision to start an investigation, decided by a court in Torun, is a response to a complaint by a Polish Jewish organization against the anti-Semitic statements that were made by, or attributed to the priest.

Father Rydzyk was quoted at a meeting with university students last summer as accusing Jews of greed in a government compensation deal on confiscated property.

He also reportedly denounced President Lech Kaczynski as a "fraudster who is in the pockets of the Jewish lobby."

The priest has denied making the inflammatory remarks but popular magazine Wprost claims to have a recording of Rydzyk’s statements.

Jewish group had called on Pope Benedict XVI to condemn the statements and to discipline Father Rydzyk and his broadcast outlet.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

A few years ago, there was a lot of talk about whether or not there would be enough priests to serve all of the Catholic parishes in Greater Cincinnati and across the country.

However, the head of the Cincinnati Archdiocese's Vocations office said recruitment for Seminarians is up.

Recruiting Catholic priests is a top priority for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.

In fact, the Archdiocese formed a special vocations committee in 2005. Those efforts are paying off.

Shawn Landenwitch is one of 29 men at Mount Saint Mary's Seminary on Beechmont Avenue who are studying to become priests.

"I had just graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in finance. I had applied and was accepted to Notre Dame Law School and I was planning on becoming a lawyer," Landenwitch explained.

"That summer I started having thoughts about the priesthood," Landenwitch said.

The fourth year Seminarian said he tried to ignore the call.

"I think a lot of people thought I was crazy. It was a lot to give up, financial success, that's how a lot of people determine success in today's world, but it really came down to a decision of faith," said Landenwitch.

Reverend Kyle Schnippel hears similar stories as the head recruiter for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's Vocations Office.

"We've had a number of guys that have come through the RCIA process, who have converted and become Catholic from other faith traditions," said Schnippel.

Father Schnippel said the church sex scandal from a few years ago is not hurting recruitment efforts.

"Most of the guys coming in say we know that the priesthood is better than that. And they want to live to that ideal," said Schnippel.

Schnippel reaches out to students at Catholic schools including Elder High School.

Schnippel tells them about the various careers one can choose within the church.

"His sermons and times I've heard him talk have made me think about whether I want to join the priesthood or what I want to do for the rest of my life," said Elder senior, Kyle Smith.

Chad Ratterman, also a senior at Elder, said the talks have been helpful as he plans his future.

"Just being able to hear him talk about vocations has really led me to start to think about what I want to do with my life and what my vocation will probably be," said Ratterman.

Covington Bishop Roger Foys talks about recruitment efforts in a January issue of "The Messenger" newspaper.

Foys said the Covington Diocese has also seen a significant increase in priest recruits.

Vocation recruitment doesn't only involve the priesthood, the church is also looking for sisters, brothers, deacons and counselors.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Disclaimer

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The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

A priest who has been in a two-year battle with the Catholic Church in Missouri will finally meet with the state's archbishop next week.

The Rev. Marek Bozek will meet with Archbishop Raymond Burke on Tuesday morning when Bozek will make an offer of reconciliation that he hopes will end a dispute over his status as a priest and the status of the parish he serves.

Bozek, who walked away from his position in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau two years ago to serve the St. Stanislaus Kostka parish in St. Louis, recently received a letter from Burke starting the process of stripping the Polish-born priest of his clerical status.

Shortly after Bozek stepped in as pastor of the historically Polish St. Stanislaus parish, Burke informed the priest and members of the St. Stanislaus board that they had been automatically excommunicated for schism. That action has been appealed to the Vatican.

St. Stanislaus Kostka parish has fought for years with the archdiocese over control of its assets. After Burke withdrew pastoral support at the church, the parish's lay board asked Bozek to come on as pastor. When Bozek accepted the position he did so in defiance of orders from his own bishop in Springfield, the Rev. John Leibrecht, and Burke.

Bozek also participated in an ordination ceremony of two Catholic women as priests last year. The Roman Catholic Church does not allow women to serve as clergy.

Bozek said he is scheduled to meet with Burke at 9 a.m. Tuesday, and he has asked supporters in St. Louis to stand outside the archdiocesan headquarters to pray during the meeting. He said he will arrive at about 8:50 a.m. to pray with his supporters before going in for the meeting.

Bozek would not reveal what he will say to the archbishop, but said he would "make an offer ... of reconciliation to both parties." Following the appointment, he said, he will discuss the results of the meeting and the offer.

In an e-mail to supporters, Bozek wrote: "It will give me strength of spirit to know that you are praying for me right there, just outside the windows, while I face my accusers."

Bozek hopes his situation will encourage Catholics who disagree with the positions of church leadership to speak up.

He said he knows his stance makes him appear to defy church leadership, but he remains resolute.

He said his parish, which has grown from about 120 members to 500 families since he arrived, continues to support him. One parish member recently reassured him by reminding him of the biblical story of David and Goliath, Bozek said.

"We all know how that turned out."+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

A PLAY that depicts Jesus as a gay man who is seduced by Judas and conducts a gay marriage for two apostles has been condemned by religious leaders as it prepares to open in Sydney.

The Anglican Bishop of South Sydney, Robert Forsyth, questioned the integrity of Corpus Christi and expressed his outrage at the "unhistorical and untrue" depiction of the son of God and some of his disciples as homosexual.

"It is deliberately, not innocently, offensive and they're obviously having a laugh about it," he said.

"It's historical nonsense and I wouldn't want to go and see it. Life's too short."

Australian Family Association spokeswoman Angela Conway said the play's creators had committed "a big enough crime" by neglecting to treat Christianity and Christian believers with more sensitivity.

"The ideas are offensive and really border on blasphemous. It's just completely fanciful and self-obsessive," she said.

The play's director, Leigh Rowney, is unrepentant. "I would be surprised if people bothered to protest outside the New Theatre … but if they did, bring it on," Rowney said.

The play, which will open at the New Theatre in Newtown on February 7 as part of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, provoked protests and bomb threats in the US. Death threats were sent to playwright Terrence McNally, who draws parallels between the rejection he faced as a young gay man growing up in Texas and Christ's persecution.

Rowney, a Christian, denied the play mocked Christ but said it would upset some Christians.

"I think it humanises Him in a way Christians might find difficult because we like to believe God and the son of God are ultimately divine and above all of us.

"I wanted this play in the hands of a Christian person like myself to give it dignity but still open it up to answering questions about Christianity as a faith system."+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Disclaimer

No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.

The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.

During his installation Friday, the new archbishop of the Military Services pledged to help fix a critical shortage of Catholic chaplains.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio was given his staff of office during an afternoon mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the nation's capital.

The Archdiocese of the Military Services serves 375,000 military Catholics worldwide.

It was created by Pope John Paul II in 1985 from the Military Vicarate, but has no seminary and no power to ordain men into the priesthood or as military chaplains.

It relies on local bishops to lend priests to serve with the military, but the shortage of Catholic priests nationwide has resulted in an even-more-critical gap in the military.

In a press conference after the installation mass, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio said his biggest goal is to get more chaplains, saying they are “desperately needed.”

About 300 active-duty Catholic chaplains military-wide minister to 1.4 million men and women worldwide and the military needs about 800 priests, according to Julia Rota, director of communications for the archdiocese.

Lt. Col. Gary Studniewski, a priest and the vocations and retention officer at the Army’s Office of the Chief of Chaplains, said that the Army currently has 92 active-duty Catholic chaplains, and he expects to have 100 by the end of the summer. This small increase continues the upward trend of the past couple of years, but isn’t enough as the Army needs at least a couple hundred.

He added that only 25 priests, both active duty and reserve component, are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, so some Soldiers may go weeks or even months without mass or sacraments.

Nor does Arlington Cemetery have a full-time Army priest. Studniewski added that he and other local chaplains are able to cover most of the time and praised Arlington, but called the situation “heart-rending.” The situation highlights the importance of recruitment, he said, because with eight new priests, this post should be filled within a year.

“We have a very robust recruiting effort…” Maj. Gen. Douglas L. Carver, the Army’s chief of chaplains, said last year. “We visit the bishops, we visit Catholic seminaries and schools and communities so we can make them aware…of the need to provide for the spiritual needs of the Catholic men and women who maybe don’t have the opportunity to find a church nearby or drive somewhere.

“I think the most valuable thing we can do is tell the story of the great need and the opportunities to provide ministry in the military…We have a Consider the Call weekend in October, in which we challenge our military congregations, especially the Catholic congregations, about number one: ‘Are there some of you in the ranks who, you obviously know the military and how important it is, maybe God’s calling you to be a chaplain?

"Then we get them more information and let them see the chaplaincy up close," said Carver, "...Some of our Catholic leadership – senior noncommissioned officers and senior leadership – volunteer to go out to their particular dioceses, bishops or congregations to share the importance of faith and having a priest in the context of the military. So we’re working it hard.”

Studniewski said the efforts of Recruiting Command, the renewed interest of the chief of chaplains and the commitment of Broglio are bringing him hope, and he believes the Army is turning a corner when it comes to recruiting Catholic priests.

“The most positive thing in all this, I think, is Archbishop Broglio,” he said. “He can be agent with his fellow bishops to engender their support. I believe there are priests ready, willing and able to serve if they had permission from their bishops.”

“Many have asked about past military experience in my background,” Broglio said during his homily. “There is none. While I recognize the new and specialized ministry to which I have been called, the Holy Father’s task was to provide a pastor. I offer you almost 32 years of ordained ministerial experience.

“I promise to offer the best that I have to the faithful who have been entrusted to my pastoral care,” he continued. He offered thanks and prayers for both deployed and wounded servicemembers and veterans, and later sent them a message of courage and patience.

Broglio said that he intends to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Archbishop Edwin O’Brien, and spend as much time as possible with servicemembers and their Families.

“A pastor has to be with his flock. It just so happens that my flock is all over the world,” he said.

Broglio begins his ministry this week at the Fort Carson, Colo., and the Air Force Academy. He plans to conduct Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 6 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

“I hope he’ll be pastoral in what he does and minister to all the members of the armed forces, in particular the Christians and Catholics who need the spiritual service,” said 2nd Lt. Andrew Smay, a nurse at Walter Reed, adding that he believes it’s important to support his bishop.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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Thousands of sex abuse victims may be able to sue their attackers years after the offences following a Law Lords ruling involving Lotto rapist Iorworth Hoare.

The Lords ruled that a woman whose life was ruined following an attempted rape by Hoare has the right to pursue a damages claim against him.

The retired teacher, identified only as Mrs A, hailed the judgment.

She was among five sex attack victims who went to the House of Lords seeking a review of the law which bars them from taking action because their claims are outside a six-year time limit.

Mrs A received just £5,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board after Hoare was jailed for life in 1989.

When Hoare, 59, won £7 million on the Lotto Extra while on day release late in 2004 she filed for damages. He previously had no financial assets.

The other four cases, all involving alleged victims of child abuse, could signal an opening of the floodgates for historic abuse claims, with judges now allowed the discretion to decide whether the time bar of the Limitation Act can be extended.

Previously, sexual abuse victims were prevented from bringing a claim more than six years after the offence or, in child abuse cases, more than six years after the victim reached 18. Beyond the age of 24, the victims were therefore no longer able to file successfully.

Kevin Young, one of the victims whose case was heard alongside Mrs A, is bringing claims against Catholic Care and the Home Office.

Mr Young, 49, of York, was one of five young inmates abused by prison officer Neville Husband in 1977 while serving a short sentence at Medomsley Detention Centre, Co Durham. Husband, who became a church minister, was jailed for eight years in 2003.

Mr Young also claims he was abused at a residential Catholic school in Tadcaster, between 1974 and 1976.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Only the Roman Catholic Church is authorized to decide what wine can be labelled sacramental, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on Tuesday.

In a lawsuit filed by a wine-producing company against the Church, the court said that the Church has autonomy to decide which wine may be used in Catholic worship.

The Roman Catholic Church has been facing a lawsuit over who is to decide whether particular wine can be considered sacramental or not.

The Archbishop’s Cellars, a wine producing company based in Kroměříž, central Moravia, contested the Czech Bishops’ Conference refusal to recognize their wine as sacramental after the Church stopped buying the company’s stock in 2006.

The dispute went as far as the Czech Supreme Administrative Court which ruled on Tuesday that only the Catholic Church itself has the right to decide which wine fulfils the conditions of the canonical law and can therefore be used in the Eucharist.

Pavel Molek is an assistant judge of the Supreme Administrative Court.

“According to the Czech act on viticulture, if a winegrower wants to use the label sacramental wine, he has to ask the Church for permission. The core of the argument was whether the Czech Bishops’ Conference – which acts here in the name of the Roman Catholic Church – gives this permission within the scope of the Church’s autonomy, as guaranteed by the Charter of the Basic Rights and Freedoms, or whether it acts as a public authority deciding about the rights and duties of others.”

The Supreme Administrative Court ruled that the Church does not act as a public authority in this matter, and therefore its decision regarding the nature of the wine in question cannot be contested before court.

The Archbishop’s Cellars claimed that the refusal of the Catholic Church to allow them to label their wine as sacramental hurt their business interests, as the wine labelled as sacramental, besides being used at the Holy Mass, also attracts common consumers for its superior qualities.

But Pavel Molek says the Church has no legal obligation to recognize wine as sacramental, even if does in fact fulfil all the criteria required by the church.

“The fact that the Church uses this wine is in fact part of the very definition of sacramental wine. The label gives the information that this particular wine is good enough even for the Church and the Church freely chooses to use it at the Holy Mass. It may of course give a signal to other customers as well about the quality of the wine. But the absurd argument of the complainant was that he, as a wine producer, is entitled to such permission by the Church for every wine that has objectively fulfilled the criteria set by the Canonical Law.”

Sacramental wine is used by the Roman Catholic Church during the Holy Mass in the Eucharist – the transubstantiation of wine into the blood of Jesus Christ to commemorate the Last Supper.

Sacramental wine must be produced from vine grapes and it must be fermented naturally without any chemical additives.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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Roman Catholic bishops pledged their support yesterday for a truth commission on Indian residential schools, saying Catholics will speak publicly at the hearings to "balance" the official history of what happened for decades behind closed doors.

Participation from the Catholic Church, which ran about 70 per cent of the schools jointly with the federal government, was far from certain until now.

Sylvain Lavoie, the archbishop of the Keewatin-Le Pas diocese spanning northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba, said the public will learn that abused students were not the only victims in the federal schools policy that lasted more than 100 years.

"There was a lot of good intentions," the archbishop said. "And sometimes the very people staffing the schools were perhaps in some ways victims themselves of a flawed system, of unreal expectations and certainly perhaps very unjust working hours. That type of thing. So I think we'll be able to tell the full story, which I think Canada needs to hear."

Archbishop Lavoie, who speaks Cree and has spent most of his career working in northern aboriginal communities, said all stories should be told.

"That those who maybe suffered in some way, abused, that they would be heard. But also that those who were involved in the schools as teachers or religious [staff], would also be heard," he said.

Archbishop Lavoie was one of seven northern Canadian bishops who met yesterday morning at an Ottawa church with Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations.

Mr. Fontaine, who has been travelling the country trying to get the 17 distinct Catholic entities to co-operate with the truth commission, praised the bishops for clearing up the "uncertainty" surrounding their participation. However, the northern bishops insisted they could not speak for all other dioceses.

A Truth and Reconciliation Commission is part of last year's multibillion-dollar, out-of-court settlement between former students, the churches and Ottawa. The commissioners are expected to be announced shortly and will then have a five-year mandate to tour the country and compile the official history of Indian residential schools in Canada.

In advance, the AFN and church leaders are planning a joint cross-country tour to religious communities to raise awareness of the commission.

Mr. Fontaine attended two Manitoba Catholic Indian residential schools and, in 1990, was one of the first native leaders to go public with allegations of physical and sexual abuse.

In the years since, many more former students have come forward. But what is rarely heard is the perspective of those who worked at the dormitory schools, whether as religious leaders, teachers or general staff.

Speaking after his informal news conference with the archbishop, Mr. Fontaine said the biggest victory resulting from yesterday's meeting may be through access to the Catholic records relating to the schools, which could be a key source of information.

"In our view, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission is the most important part of the settlement agreement," he said. "It's really about writing the missing chapter in Canadian history."+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Hanoi’s Catholics continue their sit-in in the gardens of the ex-nunciature, despite the government ultimatum to free the area by 5pm Sunday last.

State newspapers launch a new wave of insults directed at the bishop and faithful. Some Catholics believe this slander campaign is preparing the ground for a show of force.

Since December 23 the former residence of the Vatican nunciature in the capital has been the focus of gatherings for thousands of Catholics who demand the building sequestered by the government in ’59 and set to become a restraint and night club be returned.

The local government has already threatened “extreme action” if the group of faithful persists in holding prayer vigils in front of the building and in the garden and if they do not desist in “undermining public order”.

Fr. Joseph Nguyen says: “At the moment there are hundreds of religious together with many lay faithful gathered in the garden of the ex nunciature in prayer. But there are also a great many police in uniform and in plain clothes. These mix among the people taking photos and making films with video cameras. I fear an attack at any moment.

The Archbishop, Msgr. Joseph Ngô Quang Kiệt, has told us that praying is a basic human right protected by the law and that he is ready to even go to jail for his flock, if the government makes a show of force”.

Meanwhile a fresh press campaign accuses the Catholic faithful of “naivety” and in trusting too much in their leader. Papers also accuse them of aiming to “illegally take possession of the building”. Even the police newspaper Capital security, accuses the Hanoi clergy of “lying to their people” and of “forcing them to demonstrate against the government”.

Joseph Vu Van Khoat, who has been taking part in the sit-in in the residence garden since last Friday has described the paper’s claims as “nonsense”. He told AsiaNews: “I don’t care what they say. You go out and ask anyone on the streets. No one believes them. In fact, those who have written such articles know well that we have gathered here voluntarily to pray peacefully for justice. But it’s their job to spread lies”.

“Why don’t they publish the Archbishops statement in the papers?” wonders Maria Doan Thi Tuyet. In fact on January 28th, he issued a statement explaining that the nuciature residence was never “donated” (as the local government claims). The communiqué also affirms that the gathering of the Catholics is perfectly legal.

“In that communiqué– continues Doan Thi Tuyet – “the Archbishop argued point-by-point all charges levelled on us. We have been holding protesters because we are victims of a partisan spirit. For 30 years we have forwarded petitions asking for the requisition of the building. They all have gone unanswered. The government always treats Catholics as second-class citizens”.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Mgr John Tong On, 69, has been appointed as the new coadjutor bishop of Hong Kong. He had been the diocese’s auxiliary bishop since 1996. An intellectual with a sharp mind, he is a polyglot and well-versed in theology and cultural matters. Now he becomes the designated successor of 76-year-old Card Joseph Zen who has asked the Pope several times whether he could retire.

Monsignor Tong is Hong Kong-born and has been a close aide to Cardinal Zen for many years. He is an expert on the mainland Church, and currently runs the Holy Spirit Study Centre, a research institute whose primary task is to gather, store and analyse data about the Church in China and about Chinese culture.

In a statement released today to the diocese, reprinted here in its entirety, Bishop Tong talks about the “excellent job” Cardinal Zen has done and about the close relationship he has had with him.

After praising the important contribution foreign missionaries have made to the Church in Hong Kong, Bishop Tong noted how much the Church in the former British territory serves as a ‘bridge-Church’ towards the People’s Republic.

In ending his statement he said: “It is my great expectations that the Chinese government will guarantee full religious freedom for Catholics on the Mainland, so that they can make greater contributions to society, and in this way our motherland would also enhance its international status.”

Here is Monsignor Tong’s official statement:

When I received the appointment as Coadjutor Bishop of Hong Kong from the Holy Father, I felt at once inadequate and diffident.However, considering that the Holy Father had placed his trust in me, and that the Catholics of Hong Kong would be supporting me through prayer, I felt encouraged and so I accepted the appointment out of obedience and gratitude.Now I ask for your tolerance of my limitations.

Cardinal Joseph Zen has been doing an excellent job in leading the Diocese of Hong Kong.He is still in good health.I hope he will remain in office, the longer the better.I will be happy to continue working under his leadership.

Pope John Paul II said, “There are no strangers in the Church.”I hope that all of us, as members of the Mystical Body of Christ, will continue to lend our support.Local clergy, foreign missionaries, local Catholics, as well as professional expatriates and overseas foreign workers, have worked together to build up a Church full of vitality.May all of us make even greater contributions to our Diocese and to our society.

Both evangelization and our witnessing through parishes, schools, medical care and social services have been active and fruitful.I pray that all these endeavours will develop even further.Over the years, the workload of the Diocese of Hong Kong has increased.However, there is a shortage of local priests, deacons, men and women religious.Please pray for the promotion of vocations, including the challenging vocation of Christian marriage.

Our Diocese and the people of Hong Kong have enjoyed a long tradition of working closely together for society and the common good.We have been keeping positive and stable contact with different Christian denominations and with other religions.May these harmonious relations grow deeper and stronger.

Our Diocese has been playing an indispensable role of being a Bridge Church to China. We have always been promoting unity among the different groups of the Catholic Church in China and constructive dialogue among the concerned parties.Following the guidance of the recent letter of Our Holy Father Benedict XVI to the Church in China, we will do our utmost to carry on our efforts.It is my great expectations that the Chinese government will guarantee full religious freedom for Catholics on the Mainland, so that they can make greater contributions to society, and in this way our motherland would also enhance its international status.

+John Tong

Coadjutor Bishop

Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong

30 January 2008+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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" I believe in order to understand" and "to lead men back to the hope of finding the truth": Benedict XVI reiterated these phrases from Saint Augustine today, illustrating the figure of the bishop of Hippo and addressing a theme especially dear to him, the relationship between faith and reason.

"These themes are not to be opposed to one another, but must always go together", in order to be able to arrive at the truth, which is a question "central for every man".

So once again, the pope reflected on Saint Augustine in his remarks to the six thousand persons present at the general audience. He is a saint whose intellectual and spiritual journey represents "a model of the relationship between faith and reason, a central theme for the equilibrium and destiny of every human being". These two dimensions "must not be separated or opposed, but rather must be harmonised": they are, in fact, "the two forces that lead us to knowledge".

The pairing of faith and reason is therefore central in Augustine's life and thought: he had learned that faith as a child and had rejected it as an adolescent, "because he did not see its reasonableness, and it was not an expression of his reason", meaning truth. "His search for the truth was so radical that he could not be satisfied with philosophies that did not arrive at God", who "is not only a cosmological hypothesis" but "a God who gives life".

Faith and reason, therefore, are not themes to be opposed to one another, but must always go together.

Augustine says that they are the two forces required for understanding, as shown by the famous phrases in which he expresses "this coherent synthesis between faith and reason: 'believe in order to understand', but also and inseparably, 'understand in order to believe'", which for the pope "express with effective immediacy and with equal depth the synthesis of this problem in which the Catholic Church sees the expression of its own journey". These statements indicate that "God is not far from our reason and from our lives", "on the contrary, he is close to every human being, and he is as close to his heart as to his reason".+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

A former Marist brother has been sentenced to two years in prison for sexually abusing a former pupil at a school in Sligo in the 1970s.

Martin Meaney, who was known as Brother Gregory, now lives in Clondalkin in Dublin.

He was previously sentenced to 12 years for abusing six boys in Castlerea, Co Roscommon in the 1980s.

Meaney's victim in this case waived his right to anonymity.

Paul Gordon said he was abused by Meaney and two other teachers at St John's National School.

He said his life was destroyed by all the sexual abuse and in 1983 he killed his father who he believed was complicit in the abuse by one of the teachers.

Mr Gordon believed his father was receiving money from a teacher, not Mr Meaney, for turning a blind eye to the abuse.

Sentencing Meaney on five sample charges of abusing Mr Gordon, Judge Anthony Kennedy said Meaney was the first person to use the term ring in relation to this school.

But the judge made it clear Meaney denied the existence of any ring of abusers.

However, Judge Kennedy said, the absence of such a ring makes the situation in that school just as shocking.

Five teachers acted independently and separately, ignorant of each other's criminal activities, with the same victims used but not shared, the judge said.

He said this was as bizarre as if there had been a ring.

After sentencing the victim said he had received closure following a long, hard battle but he believed that a longer sentence should have been imposed.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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A spokesman for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine has charged that the establishment of a "local" Orthodox Church serves the interests of Catholics seeking to gain hegemony in the country.

"The true intent of a joint local Orthodox Church in Ukraine is the promotion of Catholicism further to the East," charged Yury Boldyrev, the president of a Ukrainian group called Way of the Orthodox, told Profil magazine, the Interfax news service reports.

He claimed that Catholics have worked for "at least 1,000 years" to undermine the unity of the Orthodox Church in Ukraine. That effort, Boldyrev said, is part of a larger Catholic drive to expand Roman influence into Russia.

The Ukrainian Orthodox community is currently divided into three competing groups.

Patriarch Filaret of Kiev, who was once recognized by Moscow as the leader of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, established his own independent Patriarchate of Kiev in 1992 after being rejected and finally excommunicated by the Russian Orthodox because he demanded greater autonomy from Moscow.

The Patriarchate of Kiev is now steadily attracting more followers away from the "official" Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which enjoys Moscow's backing.

A third group, the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, has joined with Patriarch Filaret in a bid to form a single, unified Ukrainian Church.

The conflict among Orthodox leaders is complicated by the vigor of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, the largest of the Byzantine churches in full communion with Rome.

Cardinal Lubomyr Husar, the Major Archbishop of the Eastern-rite Ukrainian Church, has given his support to the effort to unite Ukrainians under a single patriarch. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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In a sign of warming relationship between the Anglicans and the Catholics in NSW, a formal covenant will be signed between them with the Anglican Archbishop of Newcastle, Dr Brian Farran, saying it was an indication of the common value they shared together and a step towards ‘healing’ the differences.

This covenant, the second time it was agreed upon in Australia, would be signed by three regional heads of the two largest Christian denominations, spanning areas around Newcastle.

It is reported the agreement will entail holding an annual ecumenical service of worship, an annual joint clergy day, annual exchange of pulpits and examining the possibilities of sharing church planting.

Bishop Farran said that sharing resources would benefit both parties given it was limited and emphasised the goodwill both denominations enjoyed over the years.

"There are already cases in rural areas where resources are stretched and many 'competing' church buildings are being used for a few parishioners. This will be a statement that we don't want to waste resources.

"There is much goodwill already between our denominations and we have been running successful combined clergy days for many years. I'm sure there will be a solid welcome by parishioners for the annual exchange of pulpits."

The covenant will be signed on April 2nd in the Newcastle Anglican Cathedral. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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Pope Shenouda was scheduled to consecrate the church Tuesday at St. Mary's Coptic Church in Columbus, said Mary Sedarous, daughter of the Rev. Sedarous A. Sedarous, the church's pastor. She said he was taken to the hospital Monday night.

The cleric suffers from chronic cholecystitis, or stones in his gall bladder that cause a high fever and severe pain, and was hospitalized in November in Cairo.

He had spinal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in October 2006.

The Coptic Church is the native Christian church of Egypt, and has a doctrine similar to the Greek Orthodox and Russian Orthodox churches.

Pope Shenouda has led the church since 1971. Copts are believed to be 10 percent of Egypt's 77 million population, making up the largest Christian community in the Middle East.

Under his leadership, the church has established congregations in the United States, South America, New Zealand and Australia.

It has more than 100 North American congregations, up from four in 1971.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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The general reform of the Roman curia that many were expecting to come as a "tsunami" has not happened – and will not happen. But proceeding in small steps, with a few carefully chosen appointments, Benedict XVI has nonetheless moved straight toward his goal.

Today the curia meets the pope's expectations, and it implements his directions more efficiently than it did a year or two ago.

The instrument through which the curia explains what it does is also new.

This instrument is "L'Osservatore Romano." For three months, since the pope's newspaper has been directed by professor Giovanni Maria Vian and has radically changed its appearance, nearly every day it publishes an interview with one or another of the Vatican's officials.

These interviews reveal not only what a particular office has done, but sometimes they announce beforehand what it will do – and why.

At this beginning of the new year, the curia has given at least three signals of effectively following through on the pope's instructions. One of these comes from the congregation for the clergy, another from the congregation for the causes of the saints, and another from the officials for the liturgy.

* * *

1. In "L'Osservatore Romano" on January 5, cardinal Cláudio Hummes, prefect of the congregation for the clergy, announced that he had sent to bishops, pastors, religious superiors, and seminary rectors all over the world a letter to ask that in every diocese "cenacles" of perpetual Eucharistic adoration be established, with the aim of "sanctifying" priests through prayer.

Among the motivations for the initiative, Hummes explicitly referred to the sexual "sins" committed on the part of a "minimal" but still significant part of the clergy:

"We ask all to do Eucharistic adoration in order to make reparation before God for the grave injury that has been done, and to recover the dignity of the victims. Yes, we wanted to think of the victims, so that they might feel that we are near. They are uppermost in our thoughts; it is important to say this."

These statements echo the memorable mea culpa for the "filth in the Church, and precisely among those who, in the priesthood, should belong completely to Jesus" that then-cardinal Joseph Ratzinger included in the papal Via Crucis on Good Friday of 2005.

But there is also a practical application of the return to adoration of the Eucharist encouraged by Benedict XVI on various occasions, the first time with his silent prayer, on his knees, before the consecrated host at the World Youth Day in Cologne in August of 2005, and another time in Saint Peter's Squarewith the children of Rome and Lazio who had recently received their First Communion, and most recently in Saint Peter's Basilica last October 31, when for the first time he added Eucharistic adoration and benediction to the year-end Te Deum.

Cardinal Hummes's letter has met with a concrete response in many places. In Italy, the first dioceses to institute cenacles of Eucharistic adoration "for the sanctification of priests" have been, in addition to Rome, those of Macerata, Turin, Syracuse, Ragusa, Oristano.

On the feast of the Epiphany, "Avvenire," the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference, dedicated to Hummes's initiative a front page editorial written by the theologian PierAngelo Sequeri:

"It is time, finally, for a Christianity of adoration. It is time for a Christianity that believes in the body of the Lord, and relies entirely on the impassioned power of the Son, who precisely in his Body sustains history amid its powerlessness. [...] When the ecclesiastical minister, who is essentially ordered to the body of the Lord, culpably loses respect for the bodies of the children entrusted to his good faith, it is right that the scandal be acknowledged and that, accepting responsibility for the injury and our weakness and limitations, we call upon the Lord for help."

* * *

2. In an interview with "L'Osservatore Romano" on January 9, and in an unsigned note published by the same newspaper four days later, cardinal José Saraiva Martins, prefect of the congregation for the causes of saints, announced that toward the end of February there will be the public presentation of the instruction "Sanctorum Mater," on the opening of causes of beatification, an instruction that until now was known only to those directly involved in the process.

The document – dated May 17, 2007, the Italian text of which was published in "Acta Apostolicae Sedis" issue no. 6, June 1, 2007, pp. 465-510 – translates into precise norms the guidelines that Benedict XVI gave to the congregation for the causes of saints in a message on April 27, 2006.

Caution and accuracy: these are the criteria that the pope and the congregation want to see more closely observed.

In particular, the instruction demands that "the seriousness of the investigations" into the alleged miracles "be safeguarded, [...] the procedures for the examination of which have, over the last twenty years, produced problematic elements."

Greater guarantees have also been established concerning the "reputation of sanctity." Without this – without, that is, an exemplary Christian life already recognized as such by a great number of the faithful, no process of beatification will be opened anymore. In other words: the pride and entrepreneurship of a religious order toward their founder or confrere are not enough.

Other stringent norms concern the gathering of documents and testimonies. Questions will be posed to the witnesses in a simple and concise manner, so as "to solicit answers that exhibit knowledge of concrete facts and the sources of this knowledge." This is meant to avoid formulations that are "insidious, deceptive, suggesting the desired answers."

It remains the case that, in order for the cause to proceed "there must emerge absolutely no element that goes against faith or good morals," so due emphasis must be given to "any findings that contradict the reputation of sanctity."

The document recommends moreover that the bishops avoid "any action that might induce the faithful to believe wrongly" that the investigation underway must necessarily lead to beatification or canonization. Before the conclusion of the diocesan cause, it must on the contrary be assured and certified that the servant of God "not be the object of undue devotion."

It is easy to read in these norms a correction of the tendency toward an "inflationary" approach toward beatifications and canonizations that had crept in during the past few decades.

One of the very first decisions of Joseph Ratzinger, following his election as pope, was that of reserving only the canonizations for himself and of delegating beatifications to others, generally in the country of origin of the new blessed.

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3. On Monday, January 14 "L'Osservatore Romano," in reporting on the Mass and baptisms celebrated by Benedict XVI in the Sistine Chapel the previous Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, emphasized that "for the first time since the beginning of his pontificate," the pope "celebrated the Mass in public from the traditional altar".

And it explained:

"He decided to celebrate at the ancient altar in order not to alter the beauty and harmony of this architectural gem, preserving its structure from the viewpoint of the celebration and making use of a possibility provided for by the liturgical guidelines. At certain moments the pope thus found himself with his back to the faithful and his gaze upon the Cross, orienting in this way the attitude of the entire assembly."

A few days later, in a January 20 interview with Vatican Radio, the new master of ceremonies for the pontifical liturgies, Guido Marini, gave these additional explanations:

"I believe that it is important first of all to consider the orientation that the liturgical celebration is always called upon to display: I refer to the centrality of the Lord, the Savior crucified and risen from the dead. This orientation must determine the interior disposition of the whole assembly, and in consequence, the exterior manner of celebrating as well. The placement of the cross on the altar, at the center of the assembly, has the capacity to communicate this fundamental aspect of liturgical theology. There can also be particular circumstances in which, because of the artistic conditions of the sacred place and its singular beauty and harmony, it would be preferable to celebrate at the ancient altar, which preserves the precise orientation of the liturgical celebration. This is exactly what happened in the Sistine Chapel. This practice is permitted by the liturgical norms, and is in harmony with the conciliar reform."

As for the celebrant "turning his back to the faithful":

"In the circumstances in which the celebration takes place in this manner, this is not so much a question of turning one's back to the faithful, but rather of orienting oneself toward the Lord, together with the faithful. From this point of view, instead of being closed the door is opened for the faithful, to lead them to the Lord. In the Eucharistic liturgy, the participants do not look at one another; they look to the One who is our East, the Savior."

And about the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum," which liberalized the use of the ancient rite of the Mass:

"The Church's liturgy, like all of its life, is characterized by continuity: I would speak of development in continuity. This means that the Church proceeds on its journey through history without losing sight of its own roots and its own living tradition: this can even require, in some cases, the recovery of valuable and important elements that have been lost and forgotten along the way, and the authentic meaning of which has been dimmed by the passage of time. It seems to me that the motu proprio moves in precisely this direction, reaffirming very clearly that in the Church's liturgical life there is continuity, without rupture. One must not speak, therefore, of a return to the past, but of a true enrichment for the present, in view of tomorrow."

In any case, an instruction on the motu proprio is being prepared "that soundly establishes the criteria of application": cardinal secretary of state Tarcisio Bertone announced this in an interview with "Famiglia Cristiana" on January 6.

Moreover, there will soon be published a new formulation of the prayer for the Jews contained in the rite for Good Friday in the 1962 "Tridentine" missal liberalized by the motu proprio. The references to the condition of "darkness" and "blindness" of the Jewish people will disappear, while the prayer for their conversion will remain. "Because in the liturgy we are always praying for conversion, of ourselves in the first place and then of all Christians and non-Christians," explained archbishop Angelo Amato, secretary of the congregation for the doctrine of the faith, in an interview with "Avvenire."

Returning to the orientation of the celebration, to understand to what extent the words of master of pontifical ceremonies Guido Marini reflect the thought of Benedict XVI, it is enough to note what the pope said in this passage from his last general audience on Wednesday, January 23:

"In the liturgy of the ancient Church, after the homily the bishop or presider of the celebration, the main celebrant, said: 'Conversi ad Dominum'. Then he himself and everyone else stood up and faced the East. Everyone wanted to look toward Christ."+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Disclaimer

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